How effective is pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD?

Pulmonary rehabilitation is one of the most effective therapies for improving a patient's exercise capabilities with COPD. Pulmonary rehabilitation is essentially supervised exercises to improve our aerobic abilities, performed while monitoring oxygen saturation, heart rate and blood pressure. The exercises can be as simple as walking or riding a bike. In addition, some breathing techniques may be introduced, such as pursed lip breathing to slow down the exhalation rate. This should be performed by a certified physical therapist, who will be able to track progress during the course of your rehabilitation program.

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Treatment

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a type of long-term lung disease where airflow in the lungs is restricted, making breathing difficult. COPD usually results after years of smoking; the best way to keep it from getting worse is to quit. Treatment options include medications, inhalers, pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy and lifestyle changes like exercise and quitting smoking.